Conveyer chain for coal-loading machines



1,635Q085 July 5 1927' T. JOHNSON CONVEYER CHAIN FOR COAL LOADING MACHINES atroz" m 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 T. l.. JOHNSON CONVEYEH CHAIN FOR COAL LOADING MACHINES Filed June 9, 1926 July 5 1927.

m MFE eafmd July s, 1927.

UNITED STATES -Parri-:rrr OFFICE.

THOMAS L. JoHNsoN, or CHARLESTON, yWazaa: VIRGINIA CONVEYER CHAIN FOR COAL-LOADING MACHINES.

Application led June 9,

This` invention relates to conveyer chains and particularly to endless chains of the class described adapted to carry lateral flights and to work in angularly related planes.

(')ne of' the objects of the invention is to construct a chain 'having quick detachable links which can be readily taken apart. for replacement or repairs.

Another object of the invention is to construct a chain having detachable links and which cannot be taken apart while the chain is in operative position, and particularly designed positively to keep the links in engagement at the point where the chain passes from one plane to lan singularly related plane.

More specitically,'the invention has for its object the construction of a conveyor chain having the above described attributes, and which is best adapted to use with the coal loading machine forming the subject matter of my pending application Serial No. 511.157, tiled February 27, 1926.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of part of a coal loading machine embodying my novel eonveyer chain.

Figure 9, is a plan view of one end of the coal loading machine showing the means by which the conveyer bed may be shortened to loosen the chain.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a portion of the flanged runway in which the conveyer chain travels.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section through a 'portion of the runway showing the eonveyer chain in the position assumed for the removal of a link.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a portion of the chain and runway showing the parts in the same position as in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing one of the flight-carrying links in full lines, operative positions of the adjacent links being shown in dotted lines.

Referring now in detail to the several figures, the numeral 1 represents the bed plate of the coalloading machine shown in my aforementioned application, which bed plate extends out on one side of the coal loader to form a chute or floor against which the flights 2 of the conveyer slide. Each of said flights is removably carried in the 1926. Serial'NO. 114,773.

socket 3 of a speciali formed 'link 4, a set screw or other desira le means 5 being emp loyed to hold the flight in position. The link 4 is provided w1th upper and lower flanges 6 and 7, said flanges fitting behind beads 8 and 9 at theouter edges of a channeled member 10, the latter together with said beads forming a runway or guide which extends around the conveyer bed, defining the path of the conveyor chain and retaining the latter against displacement.

For the purpose of adjustingthe tension of the chain, and particularly in order to slacken it so that a certain link or links may be removed therefrom for the purpose of replacement or repair, the end 11 of thereonvcyer bed is made adjustable longitudinally with respect to the remainder of the bed, the adjusting means consisting of slots 12 formed in said end member through which. project screws 13 engaging the main part of the bed. a screw bolt 14 being mounted in a recess between said bed members, threadedly engaging one bed member and `having its head seated in a socket formed in the other bed member, and which may be turned to move said members towards or away from one another. The amount of adjustment between said bed men'ibers must be sufficient to permit thi` chain to assume the position shown in Figure 5, when if is desired t0 take the chain apart. The convcyer chain proper consists of the special flight-carrying links 4 alternating with one or more plain links l5. `The flight-carrying links are each provided laterally with open hooks 16 interengageable with the adjacent plain links.

Said plain links are preferably designed, as is usual, of a greater length than Width dimension. The long sides 17 of said plain links are made of the proper diameter to pass through the spaces 19 at the open ends of the hooks 16. The end portions 18 of said links are, however, made of so large a diameter that they cannot pass through the openings 19. Therefore, in order to remove a p' iin link 15 from the hooked end 16 of one of the flight carrying links, it is necessary to stand the plain link on end so that its side portion 17 can pass through the space 19. Vhen the link is in its normal position it is obviously impossible for the plain and flight-carrying links to become detached.

It will be noted in Figure 1 that the runway' for the conveyer chain is horizontal for a portion of its length and then follows a plane which is inclined to the horizontal. When the conveyer chain reaches this point the links assume a relatively inclined position so that, in order to safeguard the links against coming lapart where the chain changes its direction of travel, the curved ends of the plain links which interlock with the flight-carrying links are made of enlarged diameter throughout at least a semicircular arc as shown in Figure 4.

It has been previously stated as being necessary to cause the links to assume the position shown in Figure 5 before a plain link can be detached from adjacent flight-carrying link. This requires that the chain be shortened a distance equal to the difference between the long and short axes of the plain link, which necessitates that the end 11 of the bed plate be retractable toward the main portion of the bed plate at least one-half this distance. It will be observed, moreover, from Figure 4 that the sides of the plain links come approximately into the vertical plane of the forward edges ot the 'beads 8 and 9 so that some difficulty might be eX- perienced from binding of thechain against the beads when it is attempted to have the chain assume the position shown in Figures 4 and 5. In anticipation of this difliculty and also in order that the liglitcarrying links 4 may be removed from the runway, I have provided both the upper and lower beads with detachable sections 2O and 21 which may be taken out upon occasion to facilitate.manipulation of the chain, it being understood that the chain is revolved until the part to be detached comes within tle zone of the detachable sections.

Since the present invention essentially prescribes that the plain link interengaging with the open-hooked end of the flight-carryrequired, but when the conveyer chain is in` normal operative position it is mechanically impossible for any of the links to become disconnected.

While I have in the above description dis closed what I believe to be a preferred and practical embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that the speciiic details described are not limitative n their effect upon the invention but merely illustrative except in so tar as they are expressly prescribed-by the terms of the appended claim. i

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isz- In a conveyer, a guideway for a conveyer chain, said guideway being provided with beads, and said chain being provided with certain links having flanges travelling behind said beads whereby said chain is retained in place, said chain having interlocking links constructed to be detached after one of said links is turned substantially al right angles to its normal position, means for shortening said guideway to permit turning of said link, said heads being discontinuous in a certain zone in said guideway, into which zone said link may be broughtby revolving said chainto permit turning of said link preparatory to detachment oi the same.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

THOMAS L. JOHNSON. 

